Mediterranean Beef Bowl w Creamy Cannelloni Bean Dressing

Say hello to this all organic heavy hitter. Beef is such an incredible source of iron, zinc, protein, b12 and other fabulous nutrients that we need for muscle function, immune health and hormone production! Getting all these benefits while savouring that nutty flavour of herb roasted cauliflower, fresh vegetables and well seasoned beef is a top notch way to be getting into the new year.

The new year also presents us with awesome opportunities to make some toxin-swops and this doesn’t have to be super expensive. Pesticides are known endocrine disrupters and this can results in worse health outcomes, infertility and disease. In this part ten of the harmonising hormones series, I will deliver this tasty recipe and round off with a couple things you can do to start trying to limit your exposure to pesticides found in our foods.

Ingredients to serve 4:

• 1kg of organic beef (it doesn’t have to be an expensive cut; rump or chuck works well).
• 1 head of cauliflower
• 1 cucumber
• 2 handfuls of tomatoes
• basil if you have it about the garden
• 3tbsp tahni
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 3x1tsp mixed herbs
• 1tsp stock
• to make the cannelloni bean dressing:
• 1 tin drained cannelloni beans (look for tins that state they are free of BPA)
• juice of one lemon
• 2 cloves garlic
• salt and pepper to taste
• 2tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp mustard

Method:

1. In a slow cooker, add 2 tsp of mixed herbs, the tahini, soy sauce and stock. Mix this together well before adding the (sliced) beef. Put this on to cook for 6 or more hours. If you pop it on in the morning, you can finish the rest of this once you’re home from the day.
2. When you are about 40 minutes off dinner time, slice your cauliflower into ‘steaks’ and lay in an oven or air fryer. Drizzle with 1tsp olive oil, 1 tsp of mixed herbs and salt and pepper to taste. If air frying, set to 175 degrees celsius for 35-40 minutes. If oven roasting, set to 180 degrees celsius for 25-30 minutes. (Note that this will depend on your oven or air fryer so perhaps monitor progress.)
3. While your cauliflower is roasting and beef is stewing, chop your tomatoes and cucumber to be eaten fresh off the plate.
4. Blend all ingredients listed under the cannelloni bean dressing heading in a blender until smooth.
5. Once the beef is cooked and the cauliflower is also ready, arrange on a plate and serve with desired drizzle of dressing.

A couple of low-cost tips for reducing pesticides and incorporating more organic food into your diet:

• Start a veg or herb garden
• Find an organic veg delivery service: some farms will deliver boxes of organic, odd shaped produce for a great price which also prevents food waste!
• Opt for organic meat. You can get creative with cheaper cuts and a little can go a long way in stews or casseroles.

Making these small swops where you can will support a healthy hormone balance by eliminating some known endocrine (hormone) disrupters.